Han family achievements

Chapter 383 Not enough

Cao Cao was sitting not far from Liu Yu, and his desk was filled with various official documents.

Regarding these, Cao Cao can say that he has them at his fingertips without any pressure.

He pretended to open the memorial and quietly waited for Liu Yu to solve the mystery.

Liu Yu's unprecedented reminiscing with him must have something to do with it.

Sure enough, after a long while, Liu Yu came back to his senses, shook his head mockingly, looked at Cao Cao and said with a smile: "I remember that Meng De had always longed to fight in bloody battlefields, make achievements, imitate Wei Huo, be famous in history, be famous forever, and the world is ever-changing. Meng De, have you changed your original intention?"

Cao Cao looked unmoved and said: "I will never change my original intention, and I will travel thousands of miles just for the sake of immortal achievements."

Liu Yu examined his expression, nodded slowly, and said: "If you seek merit, it is easy for Meng De. Once a person dies, everything is in vain, and only his reputation can be passed down to future generations. Your Majesty wants to revive the Han Dynasty, and you can serve with famous generals. , will be famous for a hundred generations, and will be admired by all generations. Compared with the annals of history for thousands of years, what do the fame, fortune, wealth and splendor during one's lifetime count?"

Cao Cao understood Liu Yu's words and said calmly: "What Liu Gong said is true."

Liu Yu didn't see anything on Cao Cao's face, and said: "You can leave the capital in a few days, and go to Bingzhou first. The land there is vast and sparsely populated, and the situation is complicated, and you need to be careful."

Cao Cao couldn't fully understand Liu Yu's arrangement and was silent.

To ask him to leave the capital is to drive him away from the core of the court and turn him into an executor, unable to hold great power.

But at this time, with the end of the year approaching, Liu Yu saw that the deadline was approaching, and it was clear that the Sima Mansion could not do without talents.

Cao Cao couldn't think clearly for a moment, but he still said calmly: "I will accept the order."

When Liu Yu saw that he didn't even ask a question, instead of feeling relaxed, Liu Yu felt even heavier.

Such a tolerant person is either a loyal person or a traitor!

'Hopefully I'm wrong. '

Liu Yu kept his eyes on Cao Cao and sighed softly in his heart.

He is dying, there is not much he can do, and the checks and balances on Cao Cao may not be effective.

There was a charcoal fire burning in Da Sima Mansion, and it was not as cold as outside.

Heavy snow is falling non-stop in Luoyang City, covering Luoyang City in a silvery white color, as if it has only one color.

The Three Law Departments, the Imperial City Mansion, and the Huangmen North Temple Prison did not stop. According to the pictures, a person was taken away openly or covertly, quietly or noisily, and disappeared completely.

A silent chill spread from Luoyang City outwards, and various states and counties also launched actions one after another. In the past, some people who could not move or were uncomfortable with moving were taken away for various reasons and never appeared again.

Under the label of "the Five Dou Rice Cult colludes with rebellion, infiltrates the imperial court, and has evil intentions", almost no one can resist.

The states and counties also felt the huge pressure, and in accordance with the orders of the Chancellor, they began to prepare for various 'New Deal' plans for next year.

But the greatest pressure is not at the place, but at the chancery.

The palace gave them unprecedented tolerance, and this tolerance made them feel unprecedented pressure.

Yonghan fifth year, December 28th.

There are only a few days left until next year, and Shangshutai is still stepping up preparations. The last meeting will arrive as scheduled.

In the large conference room of Shangshutai, many heads and officials from various departments such as Shangshutai and Liucaojiu Temple gathered together.

Meetings of this size are extremely rare, which shows the importance of this meeting.

Xun Yu is sitting on the main seat. This young prime minister does not have much prestige. In fact, more than 90% of the people here are more qualified to sit in that position than him.

Xun Yu looked majestic and self-respecting. He glanced at everyone and said: "The contents of the 'New Deal' have basically been finalized, but there are still some more controversial ones. The first is about the nine-level Zhongzheng system. The second is the official examination. The third is taxation. The fourth is the definition of the status and powers of the three legal departments. The fifth is about the reform and restoration of the court system. The sixth is about the promotion plan and goals of the 'New Deal'. Everyone, today is the last day of the year. It’s a big discussion, we can’t put things off any longer, let’s all express our opinions.”

Xun You, as the Minister of Li Cao, said thoughtfully: "Prime Minister, the Li Cao has no objection to the nine-rank Zhongzheng system. It's just that the recommendation, selection, and ranking are very extensive and involve a lot. Please give the Prime Minister some time. Let the officials and officials plan carefully and fill in the gaps as much as possible."

It can be said that this nine-level Zhongzheng system has been brewing in the palace for many years. The biggest obstacle to its implementation has been that the officials in the imperial court objected to it and arrested the officials. This deprived them of one of the most important rights of nominating officials!

Xun Yu hummed indifferently and said: "The selection, transfer, and appointment of officials by the General Manager of Li Cao are custom-made and cannot be changed. Does the Censor's Office, Tingwei's Mansion, have any objections?"

Xun Yu said, suddenly looking at Liu Xie and Tingwei Wang Lang.

"No objection." Liu Xie had always tried his best to stay away from government affairs, so he naturally would not object to Xun Yu's questions.

On the other hand, Wang Lang kept pondering and did not speak.

The 'Yingchuan Party' has already taken over the imperial court. If the Nine-Rank Zhongzheng System falls into the hands of the 'Yingchuan Party' again, wouldn't it mean that all the families in the world are at their mercy?

Seeing that Wang Lang didn't speak, Xun Yu was not in a hurry.

Others were also waiting for Wang Lang to speak. In the huge meeting hall, you could hear a pin drop.

Wang Lang seems to be alone, but he is the only "confidant" left by the former Prime Minister Yang Biao, and he naturally inherits the Yang family's political legacy in both the government and the public.

Wang Lang is not an inactive person like Yang Biao. Even though he is low-key and reserved, there are many people standing around him unknowingly. He is a force that cannot be underestimated in the government and the public.

Xun Yu had some scruples whether it was prestige or power. If Wang Lang insisted on opposing it, he would not be able to forcefully promote the nine-level Zhongzheng system.

Sima Jun, Huangfu Jianshou, Wu Jing, Kong Rong, Chen Gong and others sat motionless, but their peripheral vision was actually focused on Wang Lang.

None of them belong to the Yingchuan Party. Facing the strength of the Yingchuan Party, they can only bow their heads most of the time. Selfishly, they also hope that someone can stand up and say something to the Yingchuan Party. No' word.

"Your Majesty... I have no objection."

In silence and under the gaze of countless people, Wang Lang spoke calmly.

Before his voice fell, many people were already quite surprised.

Why did Wang Lang, who had been strongly opposed before, suddenly change his tune?

Xun You was not surprised, his face was expressionless, because Yang Xiu wanted to be appointed as Yuanwailang, the official's examination department.

In exchange for Wang Lang's support, he gave up the examination department. Xun Yu nodded and said: "The second item is about the joint examination of Taixue and Hongdu sects. This kind of examination has been around since ancient times. It is not strange. Since the fifth year of Zhongping, the number of officials in the imperial court has been seriously lacking. The vacancies need to be filled. This situation has not changed until now. Therefore, the officials and Taichang Temple jointly proposed to set the joint examination every three years, and select three hundred officials at a time, and cooperate with inspection and recommendation, which is enough to make up for the vacancies in the court Member. Liu Cao Jiu Temple has put forward many opinions, which are complicated. Today I want to hear your opinions."

Kong Rong had been waiting for a long time, and immediately said: "Prime Minister, children from aristocratic families rarely join Taixue and Hongdu sects. Most of the students in the two academies are inferior, and the lower officials are opposed to selecting scholars from them."

As the Minister of Taichang Temple, Kong Rong was the first to object, and subsequent objections followed one after another.

Bing Yuan, the Minister of Li Cao, was even more direct, saying: "Prime Minister, the children of aristocratic families all have private schools. If they are asked to attend Taixue for another three years, wouldn't it be a waste of time and a waste of talents? Furthermore, those selected by the so-called big examination must be Talent? For the imperial court, it is better not to have someone who is taller than a short one."

"The lower officials also disagree. If the imperial court is short of personnel, we can order the local government to inspect and recommend them, and then the imperial court will evaluate and select the best candidates for official positions. How can they be awarded official positions in a general examination? How can a young man with no experience in the world be worthy of a big appointment? ?”

"All the great talents from aristocratic families are arrogant. To ask them to promote scholars together with the common people is like an insult. How can we bear it?"

"Prime Minister, our dynasty has a well-established method for appointing officials. This is an ancestral rule and must not be violated lightly."

……

There was a lot of opposition from everyone, and the meeting hall was quite lively for a while.

Xun You, Zhong Yao and others looked on without speaking.

From the bottom of their hearts, they also believed that there were still many debatable points in this method of recruiting officials, but the palace was stubborn and they could not remain stubborn.

But Sima Jun, Wu Jing, Huangfu Jianshou and others remained silent, looking deep in thought.

They all came from a noble family and were recommended to serve as officials. In the same way, they also used this method to enable their clansmen to become officials, strengthen their families, and gain prestige.

This kind of 'big test' approach had a great impact on him, and he didn't agree with it in his heart.

There was silence except for the objections.

Xun Yu, Zhong Yao, Xun You and others listened to everyone's words, and their silent expressions were all visible, and they couldn't help but look at each other.

They all knew that there was strong opposition to this matter, but they did not expect it to be so serious.

"Is Taichang Temple opposed to the joint entrance exam?" When they finished speaking, Xun Yu's voice sounded calmly.

Kong Rong raised his hand and said: "Prime Minister, I am not opposed to this. It's just that there are too many disadvantages in this exam. As a senior official, I have to tell the truth."

"Taichang Qing, continue." Xun Yu sat upright, with a trace of majesty on his face.

Kong Rong had no intention of giving in and said: "Prime Minister, can you lower the standards of the big exam and use them as officials?"

"No!"

Zhong Yao stopped him categorically and said with a serious face: "About the big exam, it is a major policy set by the Chancellor. You can have different opinions and different ideas, and you can discuss them, but you can't change the nature of the big exam!"

Xun You looked indifferent and looked at Kong Rong with his chin raised, and said: "Kong Taichang, you have recommended more than thirty people this year. Except for those one or two, the others are either unfit for appointment or are just trying to make up the numbers. I have always kept them for you." Face, do you have to know if I send them back to you?"

Kong Rong's face changed slightly and he said stiffly: "They, they all passed the examination of officials and officials."

Xun You snorted coldly and said: "How did they pass? Did Kong Taichang want me to call those from the examination department and explain it to all my colleagues in public?"

Kong Rong suddenly stopped talking and his face turned as red as pig liver.

He himself did not offer bribes to those he recommended, but it was essential to greet them in person or through others, and he also intervened in the arrangement of official positions.

After all, it was recommended by him, so arrangements must be made in place.

This is also a common operation after recommendation, everyone does this.

Although this is obvious, it cannot be revealed.

Xun You blocked Kong Rong and saw that Bing Yuan was about to speak. He didn't care about his status as a famous scholar and sneered: "Bing Shangshu, Li Cao, is his surname Bing soon? Are the official positions in the imperial court given to each other in private? Bing Shangshu , you are against the big exam, what are you against?"

Bing Yuan was a famous contemporary, as famous as Kong Rong. He never thought that he would be exposed by Xun You so mercilessly in this court.

His face was as dark as water, his eyes were wide open, and the corners of his face were twitching.

He wanted to refute a few words, but first of all, Xun You was a right servant, and secondly, what Xun You said was true, and he didn't have enough reasons!

Xun You stared at him for a moment, his eyes wandering and scanning the faces of his colleagues one by one.

Who dares to look directly, and who dares to inform?

Xun You knocked Kong Rong and Bing Yuan down so hard that they couldn't lift their heads with just a few words. No one dared to get into trouble again!

When Xun Yu saw this, he waved his hands with a frown and said, "Okay, this is a business matter, don't show any favoritism. Colleagues, do you have any other objections? Wu Shangshu, Huangfu Shangshu, Chen Fuyin?"

"The lower officials have no objections." Wu Jing, Huangfu Jianshou, and Chen Gong all raised their hands as they raised their hands.

Xun Yu turned to Sima Jun, Wang Lang, Liu Xie and others, his eyes searching.

The three of them raised their hands and said, "No objection."

Xun Yu grunted, put the official document in his hand aside, picked up the lower one, and said: "This matter is settled. The third thing is about taxes. Hu Cao proposed to reduce taxes and reduce taxes. The common people will bear the burden. For things such as headstones, they will be gradually abolished and unified into land taxes, tentatively set at 1 in 20 taxes. Miscellaneous taxes such as commercial taxes will be consolidated and reduced to benefit the people as much as possible. For many rebellions and serious disasters, Counties and counties plan to reduce taxes for one to five years..."

Listening to Xun Yu's words, everyone had different expressions. They couldn't help but look at each other secretly, and even whispered.

The treasury of the Han Dynasty has been empty for who knows how many years, especially since taking the throne today, many rebellions have been suppressed, the treasury has been exhausted, and the officials' salaries cannot be paid. In fact, several conquests were financed by the generals themselves. It can be said that the Han court was extremely embarrassed.

Even now, the imperial court is still unable to make ends meet and still owes major families up to half a million yuan!

Originally, both the government and the public had pinned their hopes on "increasing taxes", but they never thought that instead of increasing taxes, the Chancellor actually wanted to reduce taxes!

Sima Jun, who had always kept a distance from the "Yingchuan Party" and was famous for his "justice", interrupted Prime Minister Xun Yu's words for the first time. He raised his hand and said: "Prime Minister, the soldiers in Henan and Xuzhou need to be comforted and comforted. The total money and food for the victims of the disaster exceeds 300,000 yuan. The expected debt that needs to be repaid is 200,000 yuan. The court's various expenditures are expected to be more than 200,000 yuan. The Yellow River burst its banks last year, and the river will be repaired next year, at least two One hundred thousand yuan. Qingzhou’s arrears in food and grain have exceeded five hundred thousand yuan. The Shangshutai wants to reduce taxes, but are there other tax sources to make up for the shortfall?"

Xun Yu still respected Sima Jun, and did not care about the rudeness of interrupting the conversation, saying: "Sima Gong, there are always ways to overcome the court's difficulties, but if the people's difficulties are faced by the court and the court ignores them, what will they do? ?Can you survive this winter? What about next summer?"

(End of this chapter)